England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Jason Roy roared back into form with a masterful 79-ball hundred but England’s batting collapse saw South Africa snatch an unlikely victory on Jofra Archer’s international return.
Roy has had a prolonged lean run but registered his first 50-plus score in 15 international innings with 113 off 91 deliveries in the first of three ODIs against the Proteas in Bloemfontein.
He put on 146 in 19.3 overs with fellow opener Dawid Malan, who amassed 59 off 55 balls, but England badly lost their way thereafter in a chase of 299, all out for 271 in 44.2 overs to lose by 27 runs.
Below the openers, only captain Jos Buttler (36) reached 20 for the tourists on an easy-paced pitch, with Anrich Nortje claiming four for 62, while Sisanda Magala collected an important three-wicket haul.
South Africa posted 298 for seven with Rassie van der Dussen amassing 111 off 117 balls but Sam Curran checked their progress on more than one occasion to finish with figures of three for 35 off nine overs.
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